Tribune Opinion: Greeley’s Alternative Homes For Youth does thankless but important work

Shayna Miller, executive director, stands in the Alternative Homes for Youth facility on Thursday in north Greeley. The program works with boys who have committed sexual offenses or struggle with substance abuse.

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We are always in favor of rehabilitation rather than incarceration, but we especially like the difficult and possibly thankless work of this nonprofit. That's not only because it's a better option for the boys in the program. We believe it probably prevents others from becoming victims of sexual assault.

We are certain a jail sentence, even a long one, would not help boys who are tempted to commit an offense, other than preventing them from committing another one. While there is some merit to that, resources, and a sense of humanity, won't allow us to lock them away for the rest of their lives.

We do believe people can change, and we think the therapy for Greeley's Alternative Homes for Youth probably does reach at least some of those in the program. That's one less victim in the future, in our mind, in a world that increasingly seems to prey on them.

— The Tribune Editorial Board

Tribune Editorial Board

The Tribune Editorial Board decides and writes the Tribune Opinion. Its members are: